So you want to elope in Vancouver but you’re looking to elope somewhere special and away from the crowds? We hear you. It sounds like you’re looking for an intimate Vancouver wedding off the beaten path…and we know just where to do it!
Below you’ll find our favourite secret, special or unique spots to get married in and around Vancouver. Note that some of these locations require a drive, a hike, a permit or other accommodations – but that’s sometimes what you need to do if you truly want to elope off the beaten path.
Get in touch with us to book your off the beaten path Vancouver elopement now!
Still need more inspiration? Check out our favourite spots to elope in Vancouver city.
All photos below courtesy of our amazing elopement photographers: Erica Miller Photography and Emily Nicole Photos.
PS: While many of the Vancouver wedding locations below are free of charge, some do require you to pay and book ahead and/or get a permit. Please see our FAQ section or the municipality website for more information.
The best places to elope in Vancouver off the beaten path
Alice Lake
Alice Lake is surrounded by mountains, forest trees and grassy areas. For your off the beaten path elopement, you have several hiking trails with view points to choose from such as Four Lakes Trail (6km) and Debeck’s Hill Trail (3km strenuous roundtrip). Get married with a view of the Tantalus Mountain Range and Mount Garibaldi.
Alouette Lake
Alouette Lake in Maple Ridge will give you mountain and water views, without the crowds you might find at more popular lakes and beaches in the heart of the city. It’s at the door step of the Golden Ears mountain range, providing you with the most beautiful backdrop.
by Emily Nicole Photos
Anderson Beach
This beautiful area of Squamish offers mountain views, bright blue waters and a sandy beach. It’s also an important area for local wildlife so ensure you’re being respectful during your intimate elopement.
Baden Powell Trail
Baden Powell Trail in North Vancouver is a favourite for hikers and offers lots of options for eloping couples too. This 48 km trail stretches from Horseshoe Bay all the way to Deep Cove, so you’ll have lots of spots to choose from. Note that you may have to do a bit of hiking to find the perfect spot.
Barnet Marine Park
This beautiful spot in Burnaby is a new favourite amongst our officiants! You’ve got a rocky beach, 1.3km of picturesque shoreline and moody mountains in background. Enjoy views of the Burrard Inlet and don’t forget about these gorgeous arches – the perfect spot to say your vows!
by Erica Miller Photography
by Erica Miller Photography
by Erica Miller Photography
Buntzen Lake
About an hour outside of the city, Buntzen Lake in Anmore is a beautiful spot to tie the knot. There are stunning views, scenic hiking trails and covered areas if it rains. The trail that loops the entire lake offers water views, forests, a quiet beach and a suspension bridge.
by Emily Nicole Photos
by Emily Nicole Photos
by Erica Miller Photography
Burnaby Mountain
This low, forested mountain in the city of Burnaby is a great spot for the couple looking for a little bit of everything. From grassy fields and forests to gardens and hiking trails, you’ll have lots of options.
by Erica Miller Photography
by Erica Miller Photography
by Erica Miller Photography
Cates Park
Head to this North Vancouver park if you’re looking for a less crowded beach option for your elopement. Enjoy a typical west coast rocky beach and head out on the Cates Park Loop. This loop is 2.4km along the water and offers viewpoints, beach access and lush forests.
by Erica Miller Photography
by Erica Miller Photography
by Erica Miller Photography
Cascade Falls
Cascade Falls in Mission is reached by just a short hike from the parking lot of the regional park. After your easy walk to the falls, check out the view from the suspension bridge or continue to explore the forests and creeks of this regional park.
Field in Squamish
This location is certainly off the beaten path as it is one we stumbled upon ourselves. Right next to the Skwelwil’em Squamish Estuary Wildlife Management Area, this field is a beautiful spot for an intimate elopement in nature.
by Erica Miller Photography
by Erica Miller Photography
Fort Langley
Fort Langley National Historic Site of Canada is a great choice for a special elopement where you can travel back to the 1800s. Not only do the unique buildings make great backdrops, they also provide rain coverage. Be sure to call ahead if you’re planning to elope at Fort Langley.
by Erica Miller Photography
by Erica Miller Photography
Harrison
Just a few hours from Vancouver, Harrison is a popular spot for weekend staycations. Besides the well-known hot springs, Harrison also offers tons of scenic spots out in nature, perfect for your officiant to pronounce you married.
by Emily Nicole Photos
by Emily Nicole Photos
by Emily Nicole Photos
Inter River Park
Inter River Park in North Vancouver is going to feel truly off the beaten path for your elopement. Head down to the creek bed and get married with the rushing water in the background. Then hike around the park to find the perfect canopy of trees for your post-ceremony photos. Note that this park is very dog friendly!
by Erica Miller Photography
by Erica Miller Photography
by Erica Miller Photography
Kanaka Creek
Kanaka Creek is located in Maple Ridge and offers a set of easy hiking trails through greenery and along the creek bed. A short walk from Cliff Park will give you access to Cliff Falls and other beautiful viewpoints. We recommend you scout out this location in advance!
Lighthouse Park
Lighthouse Park is one of the most scenic parks in the Vancouver area. This West Van park is a favourite amongst our officiants, with lots of moody and natural locations for an elopement. Keep in mind that certain areas of the park can only be reached by a short walk/hike.
by Erica Miller Photography
by Erica Miller Photography
by Erica Miller Photography
Lions Bay
Located between Vancouver and Squamish, Lions Bay lies on the shore of Howe Sound. The Lions Bay Loop is a series of hiking trails that passes Crystal Falls and offers stunning viewpoints of Howe Sound and the forest along the way.
Lynn Canyon
“That Golden Ears look without the drive. I love this location. We get a stunning mix of forest, rocks, river and a suspension bridge! Do be prepared for some serious walking for this one as some of my favourite spots are at the very bottom of the canyon,” says Emily of Emily Nicole Photos.
Pro tip: Leave your heels at home or plan to carry them until you get to the bottom of the canyon.
by Emily Nicole Photos
by Emily Nicole Photos
by Emily Nicole Photos
Manning Park
Manning Park is 2-3 hours from Vancouver but well worth the drive for this stunning location. Within the Cascade Mountains, E.C. Manning Provincial Park is massive, offers beautiful natural backdrops, and looks especially pretty when blanketed in snow.
by Emily Nicole Photos
by Emily Nicole Photos
by Emily Nicole Photos
by Emily Nicole Photos
Pitt Lake
Pitt Lake in Pitt Meadows is one of our favourite spots for off the beaten path Vancouver elopements. We love it so much that we often visit it after or instead of helicopter elopements – many couples do additional portraits at Pitt Lake following their helicopter elopement or if it’s unsafe for helicopters to fly, Pitt Lake becomes the perfect plan b. We can’t say no to this beautiful spot!
by Emily Nicole Photos
by Erica Miller Photography
by Erica Miller Photography
Porteau Cove
Under an hour from Vancouver, Porteau Cove Provincial Park offers a beautiful park and campsite for eloping couples. With the Howe Sound behind you, say your I do’s in one of the most picturesque spots on the water. For real water enthusiasts, there are also scuba diving opportunities at this park.
by Erica Miller Photography
by Erica Miller Photography
by Erica Miller Photography
Rocky Point
Rocky Point in Port Moody gives you great vibes of the Burrard Inlet with stunning views and a cool neighbourhood feel. Depending on the time of year and time of day, you’ll find the tide in or very far out. Toast your Vancouver elopement with a beer at one of the area’s many microbreweries.
by Erica Miller Photography
by Erica Miller Photography
by Erica Miller Photography
Stone Circle
We love a Whistler elopement – our Vancouver officiants travel! And one of our favourite elopement locations in Whistler is the Stone Circle at Alta Lake. This beautiful spot (that is just screaming, “Elope here!”) is available year round, sits right on the water, and is surrounded by forest. Note that it does need to be booked in advance.
by Erica Miller Photography
by Erica Miller Photography
by Erica Miller Photography
Under the Golden Ears Bridge
You may have heard of couples getting married at Golden Ears but have you ever heard of an elopement under the Golden Ears Bridge? We didn’t think so, and that’s why this spot is truly off the beaten path. Plus, it’s the perfect rainy day option with full rain coverage!
by Erica Miller Photography
by Erica Miller Photography
Whytecliff Park
If you’re looking for a moody vibe and water background for your Vancouver elopement, you’ll get all of that and more at Whytecliff Park. This park is well-known for marine animal sightings, so keep your eyes open for sunbathing sea lions.
by Erica Miller Photography
by Erica Miller Photography
by Emily Nicole Photos
by Emily Nicole Photos
Ready to elope in Vancouver at one of these off the beaten path locations?
Book your elopement with our Vancouver officiants now!
Riana Ang-Canning has been working with Young Hip & Married since 2017. She is a professional content writer with experience in travel, lifestyle and weddings. Riana not only writes Young Hip & Married blog posts but is also involved with the company's internal communications, social media, copywriting and more. She knows YHM, and the wedding world, inside and out!
